When Pizza Hut recently switched over to a new customer engagement platform, they were able to realize a 12-times increase in their return on investment.

How did they accomplish this? Simply by putting technology to work for business intelligence.

They were able to harness huge amounts of customer data -- and derive valuable insights from it. Pizza Hut is now able to carve up its enormous and complex customer database into discrete segments. They now use more than 6,000 customer behavioral groups to market to their customers in a far more effective and streamlined manner.

This is just one example of how moving to digital tools can help unleash data and transform it into valuable information, rather than simply a pile of overwhelming numbers. Compliance reporting is another area of the restaurant industry that can benefit dramatically from the use of technology to derive business intelligence. Digital logbooks can have a major positive impact for restaurants, particularly international brands, by helping them streamline the process of gathering data and analyzing it.

Restaurant franchises with international branches often have a huge amount of data to deal with, and that data needs to be carefully sorted through in order for management to make decisions that keep the company healthy. This data can include sales, inventory, human resources information and much more. And an even bigger challenge than gathering data is figuring out how to put it to use.

There are a few specific ways that switching to digital logbooks can help restaurants streamline business intelligence. Here are seven examples:

1. Access Data Anywhere

Many restaurants today rely on paper logbooks to handle inventory tracking, staff management, compliance reporting and other business functions.

One problem with this is that the data is effectively static. You can only access it when you have the specific physical logbook you need in-hand.

With digital logbooks, data is far more accessible. Any necessary information can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that district managers can check to make sure their staffs at various restaurants are filling out their reports correctly and on time, for example, without having to travel to each individual restaurant. When it comes to international chains in particular, being able to access logbooks from anywhere is not just a nice-to-have -- it’s a necessity.

2. Digest Data More Easily

In addition to making it easier to access data from anywhere, technology in the form of digital logbooks makes it easier to analyze data. This means running reports, performing analysis and making predictions and decisions based on past performance.

For example, if you are able to see that your international restaurant branches saw a significant uptick in expats looking to eat Thanksgiving dinner there, you could be sure to order an appropriate quantity of turkey and any other special ingredients ahead of time. The process of recording data in a physical logbook is time-consuming, and analyzing it requires manual data entry. This can slow down data analysis around service times, inventory, staff performance and more for district managers, especially those dealing with international scope.

Digital logbooks can rectify that and make it easier to really know what’s going on at your restaurants.

3. Make You More Efficient

Put simply, traditional logbooks are inefficient. They require many hours of manual inputting, and they can be difficult to keep track of. They’re time-consuming to store and easy to lose.

For multi-restaurant managers, especially those with a widespread territory, the time spent logging information into digital logbooks can be hugely inefficient.

Switching to technology like our durable tablet-based hardware that is portable and easy to use can make the data entry and reporting process far simpler. In the long run, this can help managers hold their staff more accountable and keep them engaged in the process of running a successful business.

4. Simplify Data Analysis

District managers have a lot to do and a lot to think about when it comes to running the business. They shouldn’t have to spend large amounts of time collecting, storing, sorting and finally analyzing data.

With technological solutions like our HQ product, it’s never been easier for district managers to conduct data analysis. Then they can gain valuable information and use it to make predictions about customer behavior, inventory needs and even revenue.

Once you begin this process, you’ll have the data and insights you need at your fingertips to make decisions about where you can cut costs without sacrificing the customer experience. For example, if you’re able to quickly visualize that you’re buying too much produce each week that’s going to waste, then you can cut your order down right away.

Being able to make adjustments quickly can save tons of money. The speed, ease and convenience of digital logbooks make them a necessity for restaurants looking to remain competitive today.

Key Takeaways

As you can see, digital logbooks can be a very effective tool in your technology arsenal as a district manager for international restaurant brands. Putting them to use can:

Make data more accessible

Help you digest digest data more easily

Increase your -- and your employees’ -- efficiency

Simplify the data analytics process

Provide insight into places you can cut costs and increase profits

An effective business intelligence strategy bolstered by smart use of technology can enable you to interpret large volumes of data, identify new opportunities and implement effective strategies to maintain an edge over your competition and succeed in your market.